Miss Rodeo America Pageant

I would like to start off and say THANK YOU to the many wonderful people who have been by my side every leg of this journey. Your support has meant so much to me. Whether it was the uplifting emails I recieved, the daily "gifts" at the pageant, the phone calls at all hours, the wonderful horses provided at rodeos, the horsemanship help and study tips, the assistance with clothes, and everything else, I have been blessed by your generosity and friendship this year. I have come away from the Miss Rodeo America Pageant with a number of awesome things that I am so thankful for. First of all, I know for a fact that the people from our beautiful state are the most kind, loving, hardworking, strong, and especially "real" people in the whole country. I was so proud to be from and represent Montana, because people here have something MORE! I have seen it from Glasgow to Missoula, Libby to Miles City. My year has been incredible. Upon returning home, I have had to put my favorite equation to use. E + R = O , Event plus response equals outcome. If you change your responses, you change your outcome. It works every time. The event was that I didn't achieve my goal of winning Miss Rodeo America, but my response will be positive, and my outcome will be incredible. I truly do believe that there are things that are out of our control and performing so well at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and not making top 10 or top 5 really backs up that theory. If it was based on hard work alone, I know I would be at the top. The last thing I learned from the pageant is how far I have come as a person. Four years ago, I never could have come close to doing the things I have done this year. For every interview at America, I was calm and centered. Before my speech, I wasn't even a little nervous. Impromptu questions didn't make me stutter and shake in my boots like it used to. I am very impressed with the caliber of the Miss Rodeo Montana program. It has taught me so much- the most important being to believe in myself.

I am so excited for Chase Hawks and especially for Circuit Finals where a new Miss Rodeo Montana will begin her journey. It has been an amazing year and I appreciate everyone who has helped me grow. We will be friends for life!